Telescoping tie racks



7, 1964 V E. G. KELLY l 331-65837 v TELEscoPING TIE mcxs Filed Aug. v2v, i962 2 4sheets-'sheet 1 INVENTOR Jan. 7, 1964 E. G. KELLY TELESCOPING 'TIE RACKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 27, 1962 INVENTOR: ELnoN G. KELLY BY A ORNEY United States Patent O 3,116,837 TELESCPING THE RACKS Eldon G. Kelly, 103@ E. Devonshire, Scottsdale, Ariz. Filed Aug. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 219,420 13 Claims. (Cl. 211-94) This invention relates to article supports and more particularly to a telescoping tie rack for use in combinartion with garment hanger rods which extend across clothes closets.

Article supports have heretofore permitted a selected supported article to be withdrawn outwardly from a group of other vsupported articles to a more accessible position. Patent No. 2,072,685, issued March 2, 1937, is a typical example of such prior art structures. In this prior patent, the outer extensible end portion of a telescopically movable member has a garment supporting rod pivotally secured thereto so as to be capable of withdrawal from or insertion into a group of other supported articles. Such a location of the rod pivot requires the free end of the rod to be pointed inwardly of the receptacle and away from the operator during retraction or exten-sion of the device and further renders the rod incapable of manipulation except when the telescopically movable member is in substantially fully extended position. Moreover, when the movable member is in fully extended position the rod must be rotated nearly one-half revolution in order for the supported articles to be fully accessible. The full extension of the movable member together with the added extension of the rod w-ill greatly increase the internal stress and the amount of material necessary to be added to the device to overcome these stresses.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved tie rack of the class described so constructed and arranged that the ties supported thereby will be more accessible for display, removal or replacement relative to other apparel stored in the same closet or receptacle. With this object in view I have provided a telescopic tie rack in which the tie supporting arms are pivotally mounted on the inner retracting end portion of the movable telescopic element, as distinguished from the conventional pivotal mounting on the outer extensible end portion.

More specifically, I have iixedly mounted one element of a telescopic assembly transversely upon a garment hanger supporting rod so that another element of the assembly can be extended outwardly or retracted inwardly relative to the rod to thereby increase or decrease the cantilevered length. I have further pivotally mounted one or more neck tie supporting arms upon the inner or retracting end portion of the movable element so that the free ends of the arms are swingable substantially toward and away from the outer extensible end portion of the movable element. Such a construction permits ready access to the free ends of the tie supporting arms by the user at all times, regardless `of whether the rack is in extended or retracted position.

`It is a further `object of this invent-ion to provide a tie rack as described above in combination with means for releasably latching the free ends of the tie supporting arm or arms to the outer extensible end of the movable telescopic element.

:It is another object lof this invention to provide means cooperating with the tie supporting arms and the movable telescopic element for confining the supported ties respectively within a plurality of separate divisions when the arms are in latched position.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a device of the class described which is eflicient in operation, relatively simple in construction, low in manufac- 3,116,837 Patented Jan. 7, 1964 ice turing cost, and free from the disadvantages associated with certain prior art devices discussed above.

Some of the objects of invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a sectional view through a clothes closet showing my improved telescoping tie rack installed therein;

tElGU-RE 2 is a longitudinal sectional View through the rack when in partially extended position;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional plan view taken along line 3 3 in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged detail view taken along line 4 4 in FIGUR-E l;

(FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional detail view taken along line 5-5 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional detail view taken along line 6*6 in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional detail View taken along line 7--7 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 8 is an isometric view of the rack in an extended position, and

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged sectional detail -view of the left-hand portion of FIGURE 2.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral -10 designates a conventional wearing apparel storage compartment such as a clothes closet in which my improved telescoping tie rack 11 is adapted to be installed. Closet l@l consists of side Walls 12, back Wall y13, door opening 14, shelf 15 and apparel hanger rod 16, said rod being adapted to removably support transversely thereof a plurality of hangers 17.

Broadly stated, the telesc'oping tie rack 11 comprises an outer elongated tube or pipe member 20 arranged transversely of and lixedly secured to hanger rod 16, an inner tube, bar or pipe member 21 telescopically supported by number 20, a pair of tie supporting arms 22, a bracket 23 secured to the inner retracting end portion of member 21 and pivotally supporting one end of each tie supporting arm, and a latch mechanism 24 at the outer extending end of the telescoping member 21 for releasably engaging the free end of each tie supporting arm. Hollow member 20` thus functions as a track for slidably supporting member Z1 which, in turn, supports the tie supporting arms 22.

The outer tube 20 has lixedly secured to its upper central portion a clamp element 26 by suitable means such as screws 27 (FIG. 2), the upper surface of said element having a semicircular groove therein which is adapted to tit against the lower periphery of the transversely disposed rod 16. Another clamp element 2S has a semicircular groove in its lower surface, which gr'oove is adapted to tit against the upper periphery of rod 16 directly above element 26. `Elements 26 and 28 are securely `held in clamped position upon rod 16 by means of stud bolts 29.

The lower periphery of 'outer tube 20 has a slot 32 extending longitudinally thereof, said slot terminating short of the ends of the tube 20 at suitable points for limiting the telescopic movement of bracket 23, arms 22 and tube 21 in either direction ('FIG. 2). The upper portion 23a of bracket 23 penetrates slot 32 and is secured face-to-face to the lower periphery of the inner retracting end portion of tube 21 by means of stud screws 33. The lower portion of bracket 23 extends below the lower periphery of outer tube 2t) and has a horizontal slot 34 therein for accommodating one end of one or more of the tie supporting arms 22, one end of each of said arms being pivoted to bracket 23 as at 36 so that the free ends of the arms are swingable in paths substantially toi ward and away from the outer extending end of telescoping tube 21 (FIGS. l, 2 and 8).

The free end portions 22a of arms 22 are rounded and adapted to be releasably secured to 4the outer end of tube 21 by the latch mechanism 24, said mechanism comprising a leaf spring 38 having upwardly projecting convex end portions 38a which are engageable by the lower convex surfaces of portions 22a (FIGS. 4 and 8). Leaf spring 38 is secured in spaced relation to the outer or extending end portion of tube 21 by means of spacer collar 39 and stud screw 4t) (FIGS. 3 and 4).

The upper surfaces of arms 22 have a plurality of relatively short pins 42 extending upwardly from and spaced longitudinally thereof. When the tube 21 is in extended position and thefree ends of arms 22 are unlatched and laterally extended as shown in FIGURE 8, the spaced pins -42 provide intervening substantially U-shaped depressions for separating the supported neck ties one from another. When the free ends of arms 22 are moved from the laterally extend position in FIGURE 8 to a latched position, the upper ends of pins 42 will occupy positions suiciently close to the lower periphery of extended tube 21 to convert each of the U-shaped depressions into substantially a rect-angular enclosure 42a thereby confining the ties 43 in their respective positions.

These substantially rectangular enclosures 42a will afford Ian even greater degree of confinement when the tube 21 is in a retracted position. By observing the lefthand retracted end portion of tube 21 in FIGURE 2, it will be noted that the height of rectangular enclosures 42a has been reduced from the height shown at the right-hand extended end portion of the tube by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of the outer tube 2). Thus an increased degree of confinement is effected when the rack is retracted and in a position where adjacent apparel is more likely to displace the neck ties supported upon the arms 22.

lt is important to note that the free ends of arms 22 are always disposed adjacent the closet door 14 and readily accessible by the user. Moreover, the free ends of these arms may be fanned laterally at least a certain amount when the rack is in either a retracted or extended position. It is evident that full lateral movement of arms 22 might be prevented by adjacent apparel on hangers 17 if the rack is retracted; however, a limited spread of the arms permits the user to make quick inspections without extending the rack. Furthermore, the rack is xedly mounted transversely upon the closet rod in such a manner that it will occupy a minimum of space, usually Labout the same as that normally occupied by the ordinary garment hanger.

In some closet installations, the cross bar 16 is not fixedly secured against rotation about its longitudinal axis and, therefore, will not resist the tendency of the tie rack assembly to bodily rotate when it becomes unbalanced about its point of attachement to the bar. The tendency for such rotation to occur is especially pronounced when the rack is in extended position such as in FIGURE 8.

In order to prevent rotation of bar 16 and the attached rack in either direction, the end of tube 2() has a closure member removably secured therein by means of a press lit, said member having extending therefrom a threaded bolt 45. Bolt 45 penetrates slot 46 in the vertical leg of an inverted L-shaped bracket 47 (FIGURE l), the horizontal leg of the bracket being secured to a wall surface of the closet by means of screw 48. The bolt 45 is held in the properly adjusted position relative to bracket 47 by means of washer 49 and wing nut 50.

It will be observed that bracket is vertically adjustable to accommodate various distances from the closet wall surface, such as the bottom of shelf 15, to the inner end of the outer tubular member 2t). When installed, the bracket will oppose the torque which is created by any increase in cantilevered length of the rack. Since closure member 44 and the attached bracket 47 lare removable, they may be omitted where the cross bar is firmly xed at its ends or in its mounts.

In `the drawings and specification a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, and although specific terms are employed they are used in a generic sense and not intended for the purpose of limitation, the scope of invention being set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

l. In a combination with an elongated garment hanger support, a tubular elongated track mounted transversely of said support, an elongated bar having at least a portion of one end thereof telescopically supported by said track and its opposite end portion extensible beyond one end of the latter, said track having a slot extending longitudinally thereof, a plurality of elongated apparel supporting arms, means extending through said slot and pivotally connecting one end of each of said arms to the supported end portion of said bar, each said arm being swingable about said pivot to -a position spaced from said bar when the latter is in extended position and to a position substantial-ly parallel to said track when the bar is in retracted position, and means for releasably latching the swingable end of each said `arm to the extensible end portion of said bar.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim l wherein the ends of said slot terminate short of the respective ends of said track whereby the slot ends will limit the movement of the means therebetween.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the proximate faces between each of said arms and track are disposed in spaced relation when in said parellel retracted position, and further comprising a plurality of spaced members extending transversely from the upper surface of each arm into the spaces between said proximate faces whereby the latter spaces will be subdivided into substantially quadrilateral openings.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of spaced pins extending transversely from the upper surface of each `arm and substantially into said respective spaces.

5. In combination with an elongated garment hanger support, a tubular elongated track mounted transversely of said support, an elongated bar having at least a portion of one end thereof telescopically supported by said track and its opposite end portion extensible beyond one end of the latter, said track having a slot extending longitudinally thereof, a bracket having means extending through said slot and connected to the supported end portion of the bar, a plurality of apparel supporting arms pivotally secured to said bracket, each said arm being swingable about its pivot to a position spaced from said bar when the latter is in extended position and to a position substantially parallel to said track when the bar is in retracted position, and means for releasably latching the swingable end of each said arm to the extensible end portion of the bar.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the ends of said slot terminate short of the respective ends of said track whereby the slot ends will limit therebetween the movement of the bracket means.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 and further comprising a plurality of spaced pins extending from and transversely of the upper surface of each arm, said pins projecting substantially into said respective spaces corresponding to the extended and retracted positions of said bar.

8. Apparatus as dened in claim 5 wherein the proximate faces between each of said arms and said track are disposed in spaced relation when in said parallel retracted position, and `fur-ther comprising :a plurality of spaced pins extending from and transversely of the upper surface of each -arm into the respective spaces between said proximate faces whereby the latter spaces will be subdivided into substantially quadrilateral openings.

9. In combination with an enlongated garment hanger supporting rod, a pipe mounted transversely of said rod, a second pipe having at least a portion of one end thereof telescopically mounted in said lirst pipe, said irst pipe having a slot extending longitudinally thereof, a plurality of elongated apparel supporting arms, a bracket having means extending through said slot and pivotally connecting one end of each of said arms to :the mounted end portion of said second pipe, each `said arm having its free end swingable to va position substantially parallel to the second pipe, and means for releasably latching the free end of each said bar to the extensible end portion of the second pipe and in said parallel position.

10. yIn combination with an elongated garment hanger supporting rod, a pipe mounted transversely of said rod, a second pipe having at least a portion of one end thereof telescopically supported by said iirst pipe and its other end portion extensible beyond one end of the lastnamed pipe, said first pipe having a slot extending longitudinally thereof, a plurality of elongated apparel supporting arms, a bracket having means extending through said slot and pivot-ally connecting one end of each of said arms to the supported end portion of said second pipe, each said arm having its free end swingable to a position substantially parallel to the second pipe, and means for releasably latching the free end of each said arm to the extensible end portion of the second pipe and in said parallel position.

11. 11n combination with an elongated garment hanger support, an elongated track mounted transversely of said support, an elongated tube having one of its end portions supported by said track and for movement in substantially parallel overlapping relation to the latter whereby the other end portion maybe extended beyond one end of the track, la plurality of elongated apparel supporting arms, means pivotally mounting one end of each of said arms of the supported end portion of said tube, each said arm being swingable about said pivot to a position spaced from said ltube when the latter is in extended position and to a position substantially parallel to said track when the Atube is in retracted position, and means for releasably latching the swingable end of each said arm to the extensible end portion of said tube.

12. A telescoping tie rack comprising an elongated hollow track, an elongated bar having at least a portion of one end thereof telescopioally supported by said track and its opposite end portion extensible beyond one end -of the latter, said track having la slot extending longitudinally thereof, lat least one elongated tie-supporting arm, and means extending through said slot and pivot-ally connecting said arm .to the supported end portion of said bar, said arm being s-wingable about said pivotal connection to a position spaced [from said bar when the latter is in extended position and to 4a position parallel to said track when the bar is in retracted position.

13. A tie rack as delined in claim 12 wherein 4the proximate faces of said arm and track are disposed in spaced relation when the two last-named members are in said parallel retracted position, and further comprising a plurality of spaced members extending from the upper surface of said arm into the space between said proximate faces whereby the latter space will be subdivided into substantially quadrilateral openings.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 850,363 Frankel Apr. 16, 1907 1,797,037 Wolff Mar. 17, 19'31 2,072,685 Richter Mar. 2, 1937 2,348,139 Lessin May 2, 1944 2,812,067 Gussack Nov. 5, `1957 2,985,311 Abel May 23, 1961 

5. IN COMBINATION WITH AN ELONGATED GARMENT HANGER SUPPORT, A TUBULAR ELONGATED TRACK MOUNTED TRANSVERSELY OF SAID SUPPORT, AN ELONGATED BAR HAVING AT LEAST A PORTION OF ONE END THEREOF TELESCOPICALLY SUPPORTED BY SAID TRACK AND ITS OPPOSITE END PORTION EXTENSIBLE BEYOND ONE END OF THE LATTER, SAID TRACK HAVING A SLOT EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, A BRACKET HAVING MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SLOT AND CONNECTED TO THE SUPPORTED END PORTION OF THE BAR, A PLURALITY OF APPAREL SUPPORTING ARMS PIVOTALLY SECURED TO SAID BRACKET, EACH SAID ARM BEING SWINGABLE ABOUT ITS PIVOT TO A POSITION SPACED FROM SAID BAR WHEN THE LATTER IS IN EXTENDED POSITION AND TO A POSITION SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID TRACK WHEN THE BAR IS IN RETRACTED POSITION, AND MEANS FOR RELEASABLY LATCHING THE SWINGABLE END OF EACH SAID ARM TO THE EXTENSIBLE END PORTION OF THE BAR. 